- - - Current time - - -

The next article happened to be a letter, not written by Christine nor Erik, but the diva who'd arrived at the time and was hired by the manager, as he didn't have many other options for his casting. The previous leading lady had resigned to take care of her family, something about an ill relative and her own, fourth, pregnancy. Unfortunately, her resignation took place only 3 weeks before a show and left the manager of the time to accept whoever was available to take her place. This woman happened to be a self-absorbed prima donna going by the name "La Carlotta" and demanded no understudy.

This letter had been written by Carlotta, a few members of the cast receiving them after a week of her hiring- which included Christine. Though she was vain and quite confident in her overly-emphatic voice, the woman was no idiot. Her letters were only sent to individuals in smaller roles or in the chorus with proficient singing voices that she didn't want to compete against.

- - - Back when Christine was 18 - - -

Upon finding a note in her ballet slipper box after rehearsals, Christine arrived to her lesson with Erik all teary-eyed. Though she had yet to shed a tear before him, her blue eyes were completely glazed over. Physically monstrous as he was, Erik was still as kind-hearted as a loyal puppy to his student and demanded that she explain what the cause of her sorrow was.

"It's this note I found after practice, it shouldn't bother me so much. I'm not a child anymore but I can't seem to help it." She blubbered, trying to maintain a straight face.

"Nonsense, if it bothers you so then it must be awful. Leave it here upon the windowsill after we finish if you do not wish to explain it to me yourself."

"That new soprano left it for me. I wouldn't dare call anyone terrible, not unless I knew them like the back of my hand, but she has come the closest to making me want to call her such a thing."

"New soprano? Then I must hear of this, perhaps I can do something to make the manager reconsider his foolish decision to accept whoever was available first for the position."

"I couldn't possibly read all of it- the note is kind of long and she has included some...unsavory language."

"Well let's not prolong this delay in our lesson, and rest assured that I will read this note then take care of everything for you."

"Alright, Angel. I must apologize for being so childish over some painful words coming from someone who has yet to know me beyond my name."

The lesson continued smoothly, Erik not wanting to further hurt the poor eighteen-year old girl that was apparently maltreated by some egotistical woman. He dismissed her a bit earlier too, anxious to see what this letter could possibly contain. Christine obediently left it on the windowsill and scurried away, likely to cheer herself up by having a lively conversation with Meg Giry.

As soon as his pianist's hands grasped the note, the masked man hurried back to his lamp-lit home in the opera's cellars in order to read it. His eagerness even led him to begin reading whilst still standing on his gondola, propping himself up against the paddle which was stuck between a few scraggly rocks at the bottom of the underground lake. Its contents were quite the shock.

Though the elegant handwriting was delicate, the language most certainly was not. It was clearly written in jealousy or underlying insecurity as La Carlotta's mild threats towards Christine were all in the direction of preventing her from singing. Even if his student wasn't the only cast member to receive such an awful note, Erik had gathered quite an appalling first impression of the new diva and was ready to direct his ghostly tricks towards her. Especially after seeing at least three incredibly disrespectful names she called the kind brunette ballerina.

The musician was so wrapped up in his angry thoughts towards the conceited woman that he didn't notice the Daroga, who'd arrived for a check-in with his eccentric friend.

"I knocked, but you didn't seem to hear. Surprising though, since you aren't banging on that poor organ." The Persian announced himself.

"I would apologize for my lack of propriety, but it's merely you."

"What is so distressing that your ability to hear is lacking?"

"If you must know, it is this note."

"Is it some amorous note you've composed for your student? If so, I will throw it into the fireplace."

"Not at all! How dare you think me so brash and emotional? It is a note Christine received from the diva just hired to fill the role of the opera's heroine."

"I do not understand why you would be troubled."

"Read the damned thing!" Erik shouted, thrusting the letter into the Persian's hands.

The older man's hazel eyes scanned over the document, occasionally widening at some of the rude words and grimacing in imagination of what his irrational friend may do in response. Once finished, he folded the note back down and handed it to Erik.

"Well?" The masked man questioned.

"This woman is audacious in making such comments about someone she barely knows."

"My sentiments exactly, only much less amiable."

"Do not set your full wrath upon this woman, she only wishes to be secure in her position and you cannot make a wanted criminal of yourself."

"Ha! What do you suggest I do? Allow this serpent of a female to prey upon my benevolent student?"

"No, but I ask you not to injure this Carlotta nor do anything worse."

"We'll see about that..."

- - - Current time - - -

And two years had passed, La Carlotta still being the reigning diva of the Opera Populaire just as they began to work on their production of Chalumeau's Hannibal. Christine was still a chorus girl and talented ballerina, but Erik knew she would soon achieve a larger role- perhaps in the next show. This had only remained so due to the Daroga's frequent visits to make sure his masked friend wasn't planning to hurt the woman.

In the business aspect, Erik was aware that the obedient director who was currently in charge of the opera was retiring and two new men would arrive to take over the position. Unfortunately, there was a possibility they wouldn't be as easy-going as the current director. But no matter, they'd shortly introduced to the Opera Ghost that actually managed all of the theatre business.

The letter from La Carlotta was still a bit painful to see even now. Christine refused to ever look at it again and her tutor locked it up in the desk drawer to remind him of what this diva was capable of even just at the beginning of her vile demeanor. It was no longer a threatening document but a laughingstock once Erik saw his Christine becoming the top-billed soprano of the theatre.